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Doing great here! Sleeved July 2nd. Started at 256, day of surgery 238, today..... 198! No complications and I'm loving it! How about you?

I had the same experience. The first person I told that I was thinking about the surgery was my orthopedic surgeon, the same man who had been telling me every month for over a year to lose weight in order to remove some of the pressure on my bad knee. His reaction? "What, are you crazy?" No kidding. I had such a long-standing relationship with him that I decided not to find another doctor but to try and understand what his concerns were about the operation. He explained that as a doctor it seemed crazy to him to remove a healthy and essential organ from anyone other than a corpse during an autopsy. That was more than two years ago. Based on my results, he is now a very big fan of the operation and recommends it to all his overweight and obese patients. Part of my doctor's negative reaction was based on the fact that I was not morbidly obese at the time of the operation. He felt that I had given up too quickly on dieting. If I hadn't had physical complications from the weight, I would have had difficulty finding a US surgeon to perform the operation. I actually gained a few more pounds deliberately to push myself from a BMI of 34 to just over 35 in order to qualify medically after the first surgeon advised that I didn't quality for a VSG but that he could give me the gastric band instead (and I knew that I didn’t want that). Unfortunately, exercise was not an option because of a serious knee injury. I went from being a trophy winning athlete to becoming an invalid overnight and I couldn't adjust to that mentally. The more depressed I got, the more I ate and the fatter I got, the more depressed I got. It was a vicious cycle. Seventy-eight pounds and one knee surgery later, I am no longer in pain most of the time and am able to walk slowly. Based on my orthopedic surgeon's reaction, I decided to tell no one except a few select members of the immediate family (and even that I now regret). I figured if an educated man had trouble understanding my decision than what chance did I have of regular people understanding it? Unlike others, I do care what other people think, especially if I have to work and deal with them every day. Because I was about 65-70 pounds overweight when I had the surgery, only my initial weight loss of 35 pounds was immediately noticeable. As I lost the rest of the weight, no one seemed to notice--at last no one made any comments. Everyone assumed that the weight I lost was because of dieting and that's how I left it (I had my surgery during my summer vacation, so I never missed any time from work). Weight loss surgery patients need to do what is in their best interest and what makes them most comfortable. Truth is I feel more comfortable telling restaurant managers, strangers I will never see again, about my surgery when asked why I hardly touched my meal than I would telling anyone I work with. The guys at work are not exactly what you'd call the touchy-feely types and I would catch a lot of crap from them over the fact that I took "the easy way out". I don't need that. I still catch grief from my wife's sister and her husband every time we get together for the holidays. "You're too thin now. That doctor should be sued for giving you the operation. You just should have cut back on the cake and ice cream". In the end, it's not really anyone's business but mine. I wouldn't go around volunteering that I had a vasectomy or tummy tuck either (not that I had these, I'm just saying). Everyone's situation is different. I have a strong feeling that people who are morbidly obese and super obese (BMIs over 40 and 50) before the surgery will receive a lot more understanding, encouragement, and support than those who enter the operation with BMIs under 40. Most people today struggle with their weight and may become threatened if they hear about your surgery and didn't think you were "that fat" to begin with. It's a lot easier for overweight people to call you crazy than to start asking themselves what they plan to do about their own weight problem. Just use your best judgment and do what's best for you.

I just spoke to Optum today. The requirements are related to UHC and your employer's insurance contract criteria. I called 3 weeks ago, and was told it could take up to three weeks before I received a call back. *Additional items may be identified by your BRS Case Manager, based on your situation. The medical centers and programs within Bariatric Resource Services are independent contractors who render care and Morbid Obesity Surgery Requirements*: AGE You must be between the ages of 18-65 years BMI Your body mass index (BMI) must be at least 35-39.9 with at least one obesity-related medical condition (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea) or over 40. You can calculate your BMI at: http://www.myoptumhe.../BMI Calculator NETWORK You must use a Bariatric Resource Service (BRS) Center of Excellence. If one is greater than 50 miles from your home, you may use an in-network provider. DIET You are required to complete a 6 month physician supervised diet, prior to surgery. This means that you have worked with a provider (any licensed physician, nutritionist or Registered Dietician) and had a minimum of one visit per month for 6 months. During each visit, the provider must document your current weight, what diet regimen you are following and what type and amount of exercise you are performing. Diet must have been completed within the last two years. If you went to Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, please provide a copy of all the stamps for 6 months AND at least two physician office visit notes showing appointment date, your weight and that you were participating in Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. Please use the form that has been provided to you to record these visits. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION You must complete a psychological evaluation within 12 months of your surgery date. Contact United Behavioral Health at the number located on the back of your member ID card. PROCEDURES ALLOWED Roux-en-Y, Lap band, Duodenal Switch and Gastric Sleeve are all covered procedures under your plan. SECOND PROCEDURE This benefit is limited to one procedure per lifetime while covered under the plan, unless there are complications relating to the initial surgery. A clinical review will be necessary. I am submitting for revision from band to sleeve and was told that the doctor could submit early if complications were found from the band. She told me that if they submit the review board has 15 days to respond and it normally does not take that long. I believe that after everything is sent in for a normal review, they have 30 days to respond, but most everyone I know has received a reply in 15 days or less.. The Optum rep told me she would follow up with me in two months but normally, she follows up at 4 months to check in and remind you of the rest of tests needed by your insurance company. The Optum rep also told me that they go by the BMI first submitted. So if you are submitted with a BMI of 35 and one approved omorbitdity and lose weight, you will still be approved. Hope this helps.

that's definitely a good question! It's rough traveling so far from home for surgery, even if it's just an hour. there was one person, I think Kaiser that had flown out to Northern CA to get it done and had complications and was in a strange place without support for a long time. SCARY!

High I am in Mansfield and work by DFW. I am in my 4th month of the physician monitored diet hope to be sleeved after new years.. At least with that date my entire out of pocket will be met the first week of the year and if I have complications they will be covered at 100 percent

I have been kind of freaking out about my medical insurance covering any complications from this surgery. I've looked on their website. It doesn't say anything about not covering elective surgery and complication coverage. I am praying that everything will be smooth sailing but IF something goes wrong, a long-term stay in the hospital (out-of-pocket) would be financially devastating. Does anybody know if this is typically covered or not?

I hate to be a downer but I have a sleeve complication and so wish I could go back and undo it, I tell people to be very very weary and that surgery is much more dangerous then some make it out to be. I've written my story a dozen times but it basically boils down to a sleeve in 2012, now in 2014 I have not had any solid food since surgery and I've been on liquid Vicodin on and off for over a year and a half just to get enough fluids down to stay out of the hospital. I'm now scheduled for a revision just to try to stop the constant pain. I've been admitted to the hospital a dozen times and been in the ER at least once a month for iv fluids and pain medicine for food getting stuck. I have severe esophageal spasms and the beginning signs of achalasia which basically means the sphincter that helps you swallow isn't functioning correctly and untreated that can lead to cancer. I try to be positive on the forums because I know complications are rare but I wish someone had told me prior to doing this how much of a risk complications have. I'd be overweight for the rest of my life and totally be happy if I could just stop the pain. All I can say is buyer's beware, this is not guaranteed to work and this one decision can ruin your life...be very very very sure before you take the chance. I was a happy and relatively healthy (besides a few comorbities) nursing student and now I'm 21, am just barely staying afloat in school and my health is pretty miserable which affects my whole life and will continue to affect my whole life until it gets under control. This is not what I signed up for and I would go back and stop myself from making the worst decision of my entire life any day of the week. Hopefully the revision fixes things and I'm being as hopeful as possible. I'm not trying to scare anyone here, just telling my story and hopefully I'm making sure you are 100% positive you are ready to take this leap because once it's done, there is no going back.

May I ask what complications? I am trying to get my head ready for anything.

I read the thread and everyones complications. It must be very hard. But would you do it over?

Dearest Janice I am so thinking of you. I also had complications, although different from yours. It feels shit! And one feels emotional as well! I am 3 weeks post op and I am still struggling. But it does get better. Just take it one step at a time. I hate exercise but I have to tell you - the thing that worked the best when I felt like shite, was to walk a bit. Really really really just trust me on this. I think it is because of the moving so your plumbing kicks into gear. Also the endorphins that are released makes you feel so good about yourself and you honestly feel better. And the outside air really does wonders. So whenever I feel terrible I drag myself out of bed and walk around the block - an immediate pick me up! Try it, it really helps! We will get there, soon. xxx

I would be too!! I know I went with Dr. Garcia and NO COMPLICATIONS!! But i know there are "some" doctors that practice out of strip mall clinics and i would NEVER go to them for this surgery...Dr. Garcia uses Oasis of Hope Hospital/Florence Health is the barriatric floor and i would do it over again in a HEART BEAT!! Best care EVER!!

My sleeve surgery was on 12/23/13. Two weeks after surgery I developed a DVT which travelled and became a Pulmonary Embolism. I spent two weeks in UMass Medical center, one of which was in Cardiac ICU. Doctors told me it was the largest PE they had seen. I was a lucky guy but one of my criteria was to have the surgery at a center of excellence that was equipped with everything necessary to help me if I had complications. UMass Medical Center in Worcester, Ma was that facility and more. Can't say enough about the Doctors, staff and level of care I received as part of the treatment and recovery. The complications were reviewed with me prior and the surgeon had no record of issues. Nor did I. I was not predisposed to developing clots, It just happened. At my six month visit the surgeon told me that based on my DVT occurrence, he had changed the protocols to include blood thinners before surgery for every patient. Given all that, I would do it again. In most cases, you can not predict if a complication will occur to you. You have to be aware and make the decision if surgery is worth the risk. For me, I have too much living ahead of me. I want to be around to see my grandchildren and to grow old with my wife. The risk of surgery was well worth it !

I think that all sounds pretty standard. My insurance would only cover the surgery if done at a COE. My surgeon didn't have me do the injections pre-op, but he did have a sonogram of my legs done to make sure I didn't have any issues with my veins. If I did have a problem, I may have had to do them before surgery. As it was, I did them for 10 days after surgery and had another sonogram done of my legs one week post-op. If I still had my gallbladder, they would to an ultrasound on it at six months. If you really want the sleeve, I would push for it. Personally, I think it's the best option. My nephew's wife had the bypass done in March and I was sleeved in August. She's lost 65 pounds and I've lost 68. Of course, she's much shorter than me so that is a variable but I saw how much she was eating over the holidays and I don't think it bodes well for her long term success. Hopefully, the sleeve will continue to give me good restriction for the long term. And by the way, my daughter has a friend that just had her gallbladder removed and has been admitted to the hospital twice with complications. So it can happen from any procedure. You just have to trust that your surgeon is the best possible one for your procedure and pay attention to any warning signs your body gives you. Good luck!

I was sleeved 3/26/14, on 3/27/14 I went back under because I had internal bleeding. I had lost 5 pints of blood and had to get a transfusion, which took a few hours for the hospital to receive my blood type. I was in the hospital for five days. I remember coming out of surgery that first day and doing ok, came out around 3'ish. By 6am the next morning, my drain had leaked everywhere and my chest hurt and I couldn't breath. Within minutes my room was full of nurses and surgeons and anesthiologist. I remember calling my husband, he was at home with the kids, telling him it was serious and have to have emergency surgery. The nurse took my phone to tell him what was going on as they wheeled back to the operating room. After the second surgery, my throat hurt realy bad from being intubated again. I was very tired and very anemic. Spent those next few days receiving bag after bag of blood (4 total). Found out the hospital had med-flew my blood there from 2 hours away. I stayed very anemic and tired for several weeks. It probably was about 4 weeks out that I finally had any energy and my iron was back to normal, no longer anemic. 13 weeks out now, doing great! Even with the complications, I would do it all over again!

My bypassed stomach became extremely bloated putting me at risk of rupture and/or perforation. I had to have a procedure to relieve the pressure. My doc said she had only seen it once before. There where complications with the procedure and I am still in a lot of pain.

Hi! I like that you have compiled this list - it gives anyone with a new complication a place to look for someone who has experienced something similar. I did want to let you know I had just 1 leak (1 time) - thinking maybe you are thinking of the abscess - it was discovered before my leak, but caused by my leak. Best of luck with your journey! I know that revisions are a bigger risk so lots of prayers your way!

Mine emptied it so there wouldn't be any further complications., especially if you had scar tissue or erosions. Plus he wanted to scope me to be sure.

And some days I sing along IS THAT ALL THERE IS? but bye and bye it either gets better or you resign yourself and try to make the best of it all. Do I wish I could go back? Well occasionally, but then I remember I requested THIS be done, there is truly no going back, I will be internally un- normal, if I could request Dr Needleman rejoibg the 2 segments of my stomach, would I want that? 2. It is technically more difficult, might take a whole morning to micro- surgery me back, would he be willing to invest that much,of his working day just because my bravery no longer is working? 3. How Do I know the complications wouldn't outweigh any benefits? 4. I trusted in the Magic Of Diets to save me, at 365+ pounds, Magic was failing ME! And 5th and probably most important, what assurance at 73 that I would even survive the surgery? Yeah, it most certainly would have to be "Open", he would need to see exactly WHAT he was doing, can't trust robots and OR monitors to do it all. I had a first cousin die 3 years ago in May on the OR table at the Cleveland Clinic. Turned out she had previously undiagnosed Esophageal Cancer but we still miss her so much, have had difficulty understanding as a family why we had to give up our June- Ellen to the monster Cancer is. Granted many of my kinfolk folk I wouldn't go out of my way to see, but doit have enough self- centered b***s to do this to them? So I keep on keeping on, they do say I am making strides toward final healing, I want it NOW, like average Americans my patience is not strong but I have to hope for a brighter, more sunny day at the end! And I am healthier, thinner, perhaps less ugly to look at. Is Joy, Happiness and satisfaction Over-rated? I'm 73, I have more thinking and psychological reasoning time than most people , some days it seems like all I still have.👈😪👉😧

I went band to sleeve also. I had 1 week of clear, and 2 weeks of full liquids. It is tough, but I was more afraid of creating a complication or leak than I was of the hunger. I surely wouldn't try beef yet. I think of all meat Proteins it is the hardest to digest. I think it would be best to bite the bullet and follow your surgeons plan... it seems incredibly tough now but it is really a matter of days and once you get to soft foods/purees it is totally different. They do seem to quell the hunger pangs. Just hang in there, most of us have been there and understand the liquid phase burn-out.

Dear whiskers, I have Dr. Que in Rochester, and she suggested lap band because of my age, and it is less complicated. As I know it right now, she is the only surgeon there doing it (right now) I went through the hoops at rochester (phsyc stuff for 12 weeks, doctor ok (I called the endocrinology dept. and they got the ball rolling for me- # is in Mayo website. They got me a regular doc at mayo, and set up any and all other docs I had to see (orthopedic and sleep) All in all, it took about 5 months (physc stuff the longest) and they worked all my appointments together because I live 2 hours away (mankato) and work at night, so they really do everything for you, the most important I think is dealing with the insurance. The pre-authorization "team" moves quick, in late June I seen Que for the first time, she said , the soonest she had at the time was August, ( she schedules very quick ) and Mayo had the paperwork sent and I had my approval from blue cross/blue shield in 12 days (even over 4th of July). She seems like a great doctor, very matter-of-fact. I went in there 100% serious and she was too, and now I am only 15 days away from surgery! I say good luck to you.

sleep apnea (i.e., patient meets the criteria for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea set forth in Aetna CPB 004 - Obstructive Sleep Apnea); or 4. Medically refractory hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic despite optimal medical management); and 2. Member has completed growth (18 years of age or documentation of completion of bone growth); and 3. Member has attempted weight loss in the past without successful long-term weight reduction; and 4. Member must meet either criterion 1 (physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program) or criterion 2 (multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen): 1. Physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program: Member has participated in physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program (including dietician consultation, low calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral modification), documented in the medical record at each visit. This physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Nutrition and exercise program must be supervised and monitored by a physician working in cooperation with dieticians and/or nutritionists; and 2. Nutrition and exercise program(s) must be for a cumulative total of 6 months or longer in duration and occur within 2 years prior to surgery, with participation in one program of at least three consecutive months. (Precertification may be made prior to completion of nutrition and exercise program as long as a cumulative of six months participation in nutrition and exercise program(s) will be completed prior to the date of surgery.); and 3. Member's participation in a physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must be documented in the medical record by an attending physician who supervised the member's participation. The nutrition and exercise program may be administered as part of the surgical preparative regimen, and participation in the nutrition and exercise program may be supervised by the surgeon who will perform the surgery or by some other physician. Note: A physician's summary letter is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of physician's contemporaneous assessment of patient's progress throughout the course of the nutrition and exercise program. For members who participate in a physician-administered nutrition and exercise program (e.g., MediFast, OptiFast), program records documenting the member's participation and progress may substitute for physician medical records; or 2. Multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen: Proximate to the time of surgery, member must participate in organized multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen of at least three months duration meeting all of the following criteria, in order to improve surgical outcomes, reduce the potential for surgical complications, and establish the member's ability to comply with post-operative medical care and dietary restrictions: 1. Consultation with a dietician or nutritionist; and 2. Reduced-calorie diet program supervised by dietician or nutritionist; and 3. Exercise regimen (unless contraindicated) to improve pulmonary reserve prior to surgery, supervised by exercise therapist or other qualified professional; and 4. Behavior modification program supervised by qualified professional; and 5. Documentation in the medical record of the member's participation in the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen at each visit. (A physician's summary letter, without evidence of contemporaneous oversight, is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of the physician's initial assessment of the member, and the physician's assessment of the member's progress at the completion of the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen.) and 5. For members who have a history of severe psychiatric disturbance (schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, suicidal ideation, severe depression) or who are currently under the care of a psychologist/psychiatrist or who are on psychotropic medications, pre-operative psychological clearance is necessary in order to exclude members who are unable to provide informed consent or who are unable to comply with the pre- and postoperative regimen. Note: The presence of depression due to obesity is not normally considered a contraindication to obesity surgery. 2. Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG): Aetna considers open or laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) medically necessary for members who meet the selection criteria for obesity surgery and who are at increased risk of adverse consequences of a RYGB due to the presence of any of the following comorbid medical conditions: 1. Hepatic cirrhosis with elevated liver function tests; or 2. Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis); or 3. Radiation enteritis; or 4. Demonstrated complications from extensive adhesions involving the intestines from prior major abdominal surgery, multiple minor surgeries, or major trauma; or 5. Poorly controlled systemic disease (American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Class IV) (see Appendix). Aetna considers VBG experimental and investigational when medical necessity criteria are not met. 3. Repeat Bariatric Surgery: Aetna considers medically necessary surgery to correct complications from bariatric surgery, such as obstruction or stricture. Aetna considers repeat bariatric surgery medically necessary for members whose initial bariatric surgery was medically necessary (i.e., who met medical necessity criteria for their initial bariatric surgery), and who meet either of the following medical necessity criteria: 1. Conversion to a RYGB or BPD/DS may be considered medically necessary for members who have not had adequate success (defined as loss of more than 50 percent of excess body weight) two years following the primary bariatric surgery procedure and the member has been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the procedure; or 2. Revision of a primary bariatric surgery procedure that has failed due to dilation of the gastric pouch is considered medically necessary if the primary procedure was successful in inducing weight loss prior to the pouch dilation, and the member has been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the procedure. 4. Experimental and Investigational Bariatric Surgical Procedures: Aetna considers each of the following procedures experimental and investigational because the peer reviewed medical literature shows them to be either unsafe or inadequately studied: * Loop gastric bypass * Gastroplasty, more commonly known as ?stomach stapling? (see below for clarification from vertical band gastroplasty) * Sleeve gastrectomy * Mini gastric bypass * Silastic ring vertical gastric bypass (Fobi pouch) * Intragastric balloon * VBG, except in limited circumstances noted above. * LASGB, RYGB, and BPD/DS procedures not meeting the medical necessity criteria above. Cholecystectomy: As a high incidence of gallbladder disease (28%) has been documented after surgery for morbid obesity, Aetna considers routine cholecystectomy medically necessary when performed in concert with elective bariatric procedures. Notes: Calculation of BMI: *BMI is calculated by dividing the patient's weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters) squared: BMI = weight (kg) * [height (m)]2 Note: To convert pounds to kilograms, multiply pounds by 0.45. To convert inches to meters, multiply inches by 0.0254. or For a simple and rapid calculation of BMI, please click below and it will take you to the Obesity Education Initiative. *BMI = weight (kg) * [height (m)]2 See also CPB 039 - Weight Reduction Medications and Programs.

Laura, what's going on? I didn't know that your having complications.......We are all pulling for you and hope to get answers really quick......

RNY and sleeve both have their advantages and disadvantages. Some factors to consider: Sleeve is still relatively new - about 15 years. RNY has been done in various forms since the 1950's. RNY is by far the most common bariatric surgery. Approximately 80% of all bariatric surgeries worldwide are RNY. Becuse of the two factors above, there is a great deal more experience and long term statistical information on the outcomes of RNY surgeries compared to sleeve. This may be part of the reason that some insurance companies are still hesitant to cover the sleeve. RNY is more invasive than sleeve but average weight loss for RNY patients is substantially higher than it is for sleeve patients. That may change as more experience is gained with sleeve and better procedures and techniques are developed. RNY is widely acknowledged as the single most effective "treatment" for type 2 diabetes currently available to medical science. RNY has a greater risk of malnutrition than sleeve because RNY involves both restriction and malabsorption while sleeve is restrictive only. Both surgeries appear to be equally safe as far as mortality goes. However, non life-threatening post-op complications such as infections are more common for the more invasive RNY than they are for sleeve.

Humor is a good friend to take with you before, during and after your surgery. My surgery ended up being around 5pm. The patient before me had unexpected complications and her surgery lasted 6 hours instead of 2. At least your laundry will be done when you get back home. And Netflix will be waiting too. Isn't it amazing how a good (or even a not so good) movie can help you cope with nervous tension? I don't know you, but I'll be wishing you... and the other poster on this thread... the very best tomorrow. Promise to update us as soon as you feel able. OK?

“I respectfully have to disagree with you. “ As many people do. “First off all I do believe that no Doctor in their sane mind would deliberately hurt another human being or intentionally install a Lap band the wrong way.” And just where did I say it was intentional or deliberate? I am certain that it WASN’T either. I believe he WAS incompetent. And, my biggest problem with him was his REACTION to me when I presented the problems. It’s that simple. “What happened to you is a rare exception and I am not in the position to judge you or your Doctor because I only know your side of the story. I am very careful with the information that I read in forums.” I have stated quite repeatedly that I KNOW that my experience was rare and unusual. But that doesn’t mean it DOESN’T happen to other people. Here’s a simple and unscientific, but legitimate observation. Take a look at this forum. Go to the front page. Look at the listing of all the various subtopics that are presented. Look for “Lap-Band Success Stories”. You’ll see that there are 47 threads and 448 posts Now, go further down. Look for “Lap band Complications”. You’ll see that there are 2,003 threads and 21,084 posts. It would appear that the Complications outweigh the Success Stories by a margin that could only be described as “vast”. Now, there are MANY reasons for this, and this is NOT an accurate measurement, but it DOES suggest that there are problems that ARE encountered by people. And my “message” to people is not to AVOID having the Lap band, rather make sure you do your homework THOROUGHLY so that you can mitigate the potential of there being problems in YOUR procedure. It’s that simple, and there should be nothing objectionable in that. And, one of the components of creating a successful surgical experience for yourself is CHOOSING the RIGHT SURGEON…..AND the RIGHT FACILITY. I am not clear AT ALL why anyone would find that concept objectionable. “At any rate, please do not take my candid words as a sign of disrespect or insult, I am just being honest.” No, I understand that, and I understand your concerns about the things I am saying. It’s not easy to hear this stuff when you are contemplating this procedure. “When I researched lapbanding I was so cautious about the entire procedure that I never thought I would actually find someone that I could really trust let alone agree to the procedure. “I am not some naive little teenager that is SOLD a surgery,” Understand that many, many people ARE naïve about this. It is an INDUSTRY. With billions of dollars at stake. And the Lap Band is the “darling” of the industry at the moment. A lot of people like to make the whole process sound very easy and rosy. Most often, it is. Sometimes it’s not. THAT is a reality. I am a highly educated woman that lived in several countries and cities and therefore carries suitcases full of life- experiences with her anywhere she goes. What I am trying to say is that I appreciate your concern and your advice but I truly believe that I can make an educated decision and distinguish between a money hungry crook and an honest, genuinely caring professional.” I never said that you WEREN’T capable of making a good decision. However, your responses in this thread would indicate that you DO have some reservations about it. And you should. It’s SURGERY. You should ALWAYS think twice or even three times before you have ANY elective surgery. And, I never said that MY surgeon was a “money hungry crook”. An incompetent brain-dead buffoon who should be slicing turkey at Subway perhaps, but not a money hungry crook. However….there ARE money-hungry crooks out there, and you do need to be aware of them. I suspect that Dr. Feiz is NOT one of those. He is probably a fine Surgeon. He probably slices turkey MUCH better than MY surgeon. “Again, I do not mean to offend you.” And I am not offended. You would know if I was. “As someone that searches for "Los Angeles" and "Cedars" I had to read at least 15 to 30 of your very detailed posts in this forum.” “I am sorry for you, I feel bad what happened to you and I wish you had a great experience like many other users on this board had. Please understand where I am coming from. I am a new user on this board and I am here to absorb the positive energy and spirit from positive people. I did not come here to be lectured about unethical or incompetent Doctors.” I often hear people say that they come here for “support and encouragement, NOT to hear bad things” or something like that. I need to point out that this forum is called “Lap Band Talk”, not “Lap Band Happy Land” Or “Band Nirvana”. People here talk about EVERYTHING with regard to the band. Not just the good stuff. You can find PLENTY of “positive” information about the surgery here, tons of terrific information about “good” doctors and positive outcomes. But I would have to seriously question your sense of reality if ALL you want to hear about is the “good stuff”. Choosing a WLS is the same as most anything else, really. When I buy a new car, I want to know its safety track record. I want to know if there have been recalls. I want to know if there is ANYTHING about that vehicle that might preclude the possibility of it being wise choice for MY requirements. Now, there MAY be something about a particular car that is a little negative, but if the GOOD outweighs the bad in an appropriate proportion, then I will most likely buy the Car because it fills some particular NEED for me….even though it might have some quirk that will annoy me. Now, with surgery, it’s a little different, but not THAT much. It’s still about your SAFETY. But if the potential POSITIVES outweigh the POTENTIAL negatives in a proportion that is comfortable for YOU, then you need to go for it. Plain and Simple. You CAN, however, have an IMPACT on those proportions by making the RIGHT CHOICES. And that’s what this about for me….making the RIGHT CHOICES. “I have arrived at a point in my life where I do not need to have EVERYTHING under control, I can very well live with the uncertainties of life itself and rather focus on the positive things and positive outcomes than to waste my time and life with worrying and negative thoughts.” “When something should go wrong I will deal with it with the same positive outlook.” You CANNOT control EVERYTHING in your life. It does take some people many years to arrive at that conclusion. It is often very liberating when you learn that important lesson. You CAN, however, significantly mitigate the possibility of something going wrong by making GOOD choices. You may not be able to change the OUTCOME of something once it is in process, but you can certainly have an impact on the way it turns out by the choices that you make going into it. “You really need to know how down lifting your posts are, especially for someone that is new here and was (until a couple of hours ago) very much looking forward to the journey she is about to embark on.” “Down lifting”? If you searched my posts outside of the Cedars references you will actually find many posts that are “Up Pushing”. I’m not an opponent of the Lap Band. I heartily encourage people to GET one, if they have determined that the Lap Band is what will help them with their particular issue. But PART of that “self-education” process HAS to be a “reality check”. Knowing the BAD stuff will HELP you make the decisions that will lead you to the GOOD stuff. I could spend the next few hours pounding out metaphors, examples, stories, etc, but the bottom line is that knowing the reality is NOT a bad thing. And knowing it should NOT keep you from having the surgery if you have determined that it IS what you need. I am VERY supportive of people moving forward on this. There are some WONDERFUL success stories in this forum, and some terrific people that will HELP you get to that “good place’ that you want to be. “I have to excuse myself now and have to take a very long shower; this negativity was just too much.” I also have to run and take a shower. But for an entirely different reason. :thumbup: Again, no disrespect intended... we just seem to be VERY different people and I don’t think lap-band-forum-life is the kind of support that will do me any good. And no disrespect was perceived. And, I think that if you knew me, you would find that we more alike than you might guess. We all have the same goals, dreams, and desires. For most of us, that includes good health. We are ALL on that path. “I am a highly educated woman that lived in several countries and cities and therefore carries suitcases full of life- experiences with her anywhere she goes.” And I have a suitcase as well. Unfortunately, mine contains a couple of half-empty bottles of Jack Daniels, some melted ice cream, some monkey food, a thong with the initials RS embroidered, and a citation from the Tucson Police Department for “lewd and lascivious conduct”. It’s a long story. Best of luck, and enjoy your journey! HH